Until recently, most surgical procedures that were performed to eliminate lung cancer (LC) required the surgeon to make a long incision in the patient’s chest. The ribs were either removed or spread apart in order that the surgeon could gain access to the affected site. While that strategy is still used for some types of lung cancer surgery, there are minimally invasive techniques that are being employed more regularly.

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the three types of surgeries that doctors perform on patients who are suffering from LC. We’ll also describe how new technology and tools are making it unnecessary to open the patient’s chest.

Types Of Surgical Procedures

If the disease is still in its early stages (stages I or II) and has not spread to other sites, a doctor will normally perform a wedge resection. This is a procedure in which the tumor is removed along with a small part of surrounding tissue. Approximately one in four diagnosed cases can be treated with a wedge resection. It’s worth noting that this strategy does not entirely preclude a recurrence of cancerous cells.

If the disease has spread within the lung, but is still contained within it (that is, it has not fully metastasized), a lobectomy can be performed. The doctor will remove an entire lobe. If more than one lobe is affected, the doctor may perform a pneumonectomy. This is the removal of the entire lung.

A pneumonectomy still often requires opening the chest cavity because the surgical team must have complete access to the site in order to remove the organ. A thoracoscopic lobectomy can be performed without the need to spread the patient’s ribcage. This is a minimally invasive procedure during which a surgeon makes several small incisions into the patient’s chest. He will then use robotic arms appended with surgical instruments to access the site and remove the affected lobe. The same strategy can be used to perform a wedge resection.

This minimally invasive lung cancer surgical procedure offers far more accuracy than can be achieved by opening the chest.

Other Forms Of Treatment

If the disease has metastasized, surgery will not be sufficient to eliminate it. Your doctor may suggest chemotherapy or radiation therapy, either as a primary treatment path or as an adjunct path. Both can be used for small-cell and non-small cell LC. Chemotherapy uses specific drugs (administered in pill form, intravenously, or both) to kill cancerous cells. Radiation therapy uses high-intensity beams to accomplish the same goal. For late-stage cases of LC, a combination of all three (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy) may be necessary.

Treating lung cancer surgically is no longer limited to opening the patient’s chest. A growing number of surgeons are proving that minimally invasive procedures are safer, more effective, and can dramatically reduce the patient’s recovery time.

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You may be suffering from lung cancer (LC) without realizing it. It can lay hidden for years. In fact, in many cases, the disease can metastasize (spread outside the site of origin) before symptoms present. Making matters worse, one of the most common symptoms is a persistent, nagging cough. The cough is often dismissed as small more than the sign of a common cold.

Eventually, other symptoms will manifest. You might have difficulty catching your breath after small bouts of activity. You may lose your appetite, experience pain within your chest, and even cough up blood. These are warning signs of lung cancer. If you notice them, make an appointment with your doctor. Below, we’ll describe the various tests your physician can perform to identify the presence of cancerous cells.

A History And Physical Examination

Your doctor will start by reviewing your medical history. It may provide useful clues, including whether you are genetically predisposed to the disease and if others in your family have developed it. Your physician will also question about your current lifestyle. He’ll want to know if you are exposed to tobacco smoke, asbestos, or other carcinogens. Next, he’ll conduct a full physical exam. That will help him determine whether you suffer from breathing difficulties, including blockages within your airways.

Chest X-rays And Scans

After he performs an exam, your doctor will take X-rays of your chest. The X-rays will provide a view of your lungs and bring suspect areas to his attention. But, the X-rays alone are not enough for your physician to make a clear diagnosis of LC.

Next, you’ll likely undergo a CT scan as your doctor looks for tumors and signs of metastases. This is usually done because the X-rays do not provide enough information. If there is a possibility that you suffer from small cell lung cancer (as experienced by long-time smokers), he may perform a helical CT scan.

If the CT scans do not provide adequate information, your physician may order a positron emission tomography scan. This will give him a 3-D model of your chest that not only shows your organs and bones, but also metabolic activity and other body functions.

If the positron emission tomography scan is inconclusive, your doctor may perform a bronchoscopy. He’ll slide a bronchoscope down your throat toward your bronchi to identify areas that can be biopsied. If the site that offers an abnormal sample of tissue is hard to access with the bronchoscope, your physician may perform a needle biopsy. A needle in inserted between your ribs in order to access the site.

If you notice any symptoms of lung cancer, contact your doctor as soon as possible. The earlier it can be diagnosed, the greater likelihood that it can be treated successfully.

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